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Classes: Khmer Language and History/Culture of Cambodia

Classes began Monday morning at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, with Vice-Rector Ponn Chhay welcoming us to campus. Immediately following our welcome ceremony, students broke up into two classes with Khmer language teachers Touch Phara, Prum Sisaphantha, Thea Sok Meng, and Teacher Chorry. In one of the classes students are learning some Khmer script along with spoken Khmer, and all are highly motivated to improve on their language skills.

Monday we also had lunch at RUPP’s campus, ordering in Khmer, then took a break for about two hours before our afternoon lecture. Students found a beautiful oasis in the middle of a lily pond on the west end of campus, and chatted there with two RUPP students who also spent part of the break on the island.

Monday afternoon’s lecture was by Dr. Poch Bunnak, who teaches at RUPP and did a post-doctorate at the University of Chicago. Dr. Bunnak spoke about Cambodian Peoples and Cultures. Tuesday’s lecture was by now-retired Southeast Asian human rights specialist Dr. Lao Mong Hay, and today (Wednesday) we heard from Father Francois Ponchaud about Cambodia under the French Protectorate (1863-1953), Independence, and the Lon Nol years (1970-1975). Ponchaud has been a major figure in Cambodia’s history, coining the term “Year Zero” for the beginning of the Khmer Rouge period and spending time in a prison camp.

Tomorrow (Thursday) we’ll purchase bikes for all/most of the SSTers, and that will become their primary form of transportation for the remainder of the term. We’ll also visit the National Museum, which houses many ancient artifacts from the Angkor period and beyond.

Tonight (Wednesday evening) all 19 SSTers were here at P’teah Goshen for our weekly meeting. Watch for another blog about that event within the next 24 hours. The group is adjusting well to the many transitions they’ve undergone since leaving Goshen exactly one week ago.

Sara K’s brother Panha at RUPPTeacher Sok Meng Tea with class.Carina, Renae, Audrey, and Madeleine in Khmer class.Students in Khmer class.Teacher Chorry teaching Khmer class.Teacher Chorry’s class.Brett entertaining SSTers during break time from language class.Some of the SST men enjoy looking at the view from Building T’s fourth floor over break time.Madeleine, Kate, and Audrey over break time at RUPP.A gathering of male SSTers during break time from Khmer language class.Mr. Chorry’s Khmer class.Jake learning Khmer script.Teacher Prum Sisaphantha preparing students for Monday’s lunch at RUPP.Teacher Chorry teaching Khmer script.Lunch time Monday at RUPP.Having lunch at RUPP.Another table at lunchtime Monday.Seth learning to slurp noodles at RUPP.Another table’s lunch break.Corey, Lauren and others at lunch break.SSTers at their extended lunch break with a newfound Cambodian friend from RUPP.Seth also met a friend during the lunch break on an island in the midst of lily pads at RUPP.Jessie and Madeleine share a moment during break time at RUPP.Jake contemplating the lily pads at RUPP.Carina and her new friend at RUPP.Monday afternoon’s lecture, which took place at RUPP, was on Cambodian Peoples and Cultures.Poch Bunnak was Monday afternoon’s lecturer, speaking about Cambodian Peoples and Cultures.Henry, Jacob, Maryn, and others at Tuesday afternoon’s lecture at the International Christian Fellowship building.Sarah T and others at Dr. Lao Mong Hay’s lecture on Cambodian Politics Tuesday afternoon.Lao Mong Hay is now retired, but for many years he was the leading human rights expert in Southeast Asia. Here he lectures on Cambodian politics, with our program assistant Sen Marya beside him.